Appeals Court Overturns Maryland's Handgun License Requirement
The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Maryland cannot enforce a law requiring individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. The court's decision was based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that firearm regulations must be consistent with the nation's historical tradition. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that the law was intended to protect Marylanders from gun violence. The handgun qualification license requirement was part of Maryland's Firearm Safety Act of 2013. Mayor Brandon Scott and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen also criticized the decision, arguing that it would make Maryland less safe.